INDIANAPOLIS – Gardner-Webb senior Nathan Lile became first men's swimmer in program history to qualify for the NCAA Division I Swimming & Diving Championships Wednesday, earning a spot in the field in two different events – the 50 Free and 100 Free.

Lile (Waynesville, N.C.) enters the NCAA Championships as the most decorated men's swimmer in Gardner-Webb history. He was named Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA) Most Outstanding Male Swimmer two seasons in a row and holds numerous school and conference records.

The NCAA Division I Swimming & Diving Championships will be held March 23-26 in Atlanta, Ga., at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center. The Georgia Institute of Technology will serve as the host.

A total of 235 swimmers will compete in Atlanta.

"We are so proud that Nathan has qualified to represent Bulldog Nation at NCAAs," said head coach Mike Simpson. "He has had an incredible four-year career and there is no better way to top it off than to swim in the fastest meet in the nation. Nathan was incredibly excited to hear his name on the selection list this morning. Conference was fabulous. Nationals will be even better."

Lile's qualifying time of 19.49 seconds in the 50 free was set at the 2016 Bulldog Invitational in Athens, Ga., on February 27. It ranks as the 23rd fastest time in the nation entering the national championships. All told, Lile swam the event in less than 20 seconds six different times during the 2015-2016 season, including twice at the 2016 CCSA Swimming & Diving Championships in mid-February.

Lile's qualifying time of 43.05 in the 100 free was the 30th fastest time nationally this season and stands as the Gardner-Webb and CCSA record. He swam that time at the 2016 CCSA Swimming & Diving Championships on February 20. He broke the 44-second barrier four different times this season in the event.

The standout earned All-CCSA honors 21 times over his four seasons at the conference meet and won six individual CCSA titles during that time – including three this season.

The 2007-2008 season was Gardner-Webb's first sponsoring men's swimming.